According to The Express, Real Madrid could make an offer of £20million for Hugo Lloris when the transfer window reopens in January.
Last season Diego Lopez played 36 times in La Liga, although he made way for Iker Casillas for a UEFA Champions League campaign which ended in glory when they defeated city rivals Atletico in the Lisbon final. The latter has since been reinstated as the number one choice at the Bernabeu, following the departure of the former who now plies his trade in Italy with Milan.
However, Real remain unconvinced by their current arrangement, which has seen them leak 10 goals in their opening nine league matches, compared to Barcelona who have conceded just three times (all against Real last weekend). This has led to speculation that Carlo Ancelotti could look for a solution in January, and the Express claim Lloris has emerged as a key target.
Since leaving Lyon for Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 2012 for a fee of around £10million, the France international has established himself as easily one of the best goalkeepers in England. It was no surprise, then, that the White Hart Lane club considered a huge coup when they persuaded the 27-year-old to sign a new contract in July, which is designed to retain him until 2019.
Despite this, there is sure to be interest in the player if, as seems increasingly likely even at this relatively early stage, Spurs are not competing in the Champions League next season. Mauricio Pochettino’s side are currently 11th in the table, and may actually think their best chance of qualifying for the elite tournament in European football is by winning the UEFA Europa League.
If they fail to do that, then, suggests the Express, they will face a battle to keep hold of their number one. Indeed, whilst the tabloid claims Real would be prepared to wait until the summer before adding Lloris to their star-studded squad, it is also reported that an offer of £20million could be made when the window reopens in January as they look to tempt Tottenham to cash in.
